Spray gun for fire apparatus and the like



Aug. 29, 1950 v B, D, BARTQN 2,520,824

SPRAY GUN FOR FIRE APPARATUS AND THE LIKE Filed March 25, 1949 Patented Aug. 29, 1950 SPRAY GUN FOR FIRE APPARATUS AND THE LIKE Benjamin D. Barton, Battle Creek, Mich., assignor to American Marsh Pumps, Inc., Battle Creek,

Mich.

Application March 25, 1949, Serial No. 83,425

10 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in a spray gun for fire apparatus and the like.

The main objects of this invention are:

First, to provide a spray gun or nozzle structure which is highly efficient for delivering socalled fog or mist and other types of spray up t substantially a stream delivery.

Second, to provide a structure which is highly eflicient in producing a short or quite long range delivery of fog or mist and in a, regulatable quantity,

Third, to provide a structure having these advantages which is easily controlled by the operator.

Objects relating to details and economies of the invention will appear from the description to follow. The invention is pointed out in the lclaims.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a, side elevational view of a spray gun embodying my invention.

Fig, 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view mainly in longitudinal section on a line corresponding to line 2-2 of Figs. l and 5 with the valve in closed position.

Fig, 3 is a fragmentary sectional view corresponding to that of Fig. 2 with the valve in fully open position.

Fig. 4 is a transverse section on a line correspending to line 4-4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a transverse section on a line corresponding to line 5 5 of Fig. 2.

Referring to the drawing the tubular barre1 I is provided with a pistol type grip 2 constituting a supply conduit opening to the barrel and having a suitable hose coupling designated generally by the numeral 3. The plunger 4 is controlled by means of the trigger-like lever 5 pivoted at 6. The operating connections for the trigger or lever 5 to the plunger rod are not illustrated as they form no part of my present invention; however, suitable operating connections are illustrated in my co-pending application, Serial No. 315,547, iiled June 7, 1948.

The chamber head, designated generally by the numeral 1, comprises a base or coupling portion 8 threaded upon the barrel and shouldered and externally threaded at 9 to receive the body portion ID of the head. The head is provided with an elongated discharge port or passage Il and a rearwardly facing valve seat I2 at the inner end of the port. The end Wall I3 of the head is conical and merges into the valve seat.

2 The throat member I4 is sleeved into the head and is provided with a throat I5 of substantial width aligned with the discharge port. The throat member coacts with the end wall of the head to provide an expansion and swirl chamber I6, the front wall of the throat member being preferably conical, its rear wall I'I 'also preferably conical so as t0 provide an effective smooth guide for the water to the throat.

The valve I8 is provided with a stem I 9 of substantial length having a socket 2l] at its rear receiving the plunger rod 4. The spider-like guide member 2l is sleeved into the head and has a central bearing 22 for the valve stem. The swirl producing member 23 is mounted on the valve stem this swirl producing memberl being of a length substantially exceeding the width of the throat I5 and having a plurality of spiral peripheral grooves 24. These grooves are of a substantial pitch and extend from end to end of the swirl member. The swirl producing member is forwardly tapered.

When the valve is in seated position the larger diameter of the swirl member is within the throat as is shown in Fig. 2. When the valve is in fully open or retracted position as shown in Fig. 3 the swirl member is retracted into the recess or housing 25 provided therefor in the guide member. In this position the swirl member does not act on the water and the nozzle is adapted to .deliver a substantially solid long range stem. The relation of the swirl member to the valve is such that the valve controls the delivery of the f-og or mist-like spray created by the passage of water through the throat and around the swirl member. As the tapered swirl member is retracted with the opening of a valve the character of the spray is varied owing to the taper of the swirl member and simultaneously the range of delivery is varied. This enables the control of the spray not only conserving water but avoiding damage to merchandise and other objects such as is likely to result from the use of an excess of water. However, various conditions arise where a long forceful stream is desired and this can be had by fully opening the valve and in which position the swirl member is retracted into the recess so that it does not effect the character of the stream.

The conical formation [of the walls of the eX- pansion 'chamber I6 described are desirable in that there are no pockets or shoulders such as might effect the character of the spray,

To further control the character of the spray or stream delivered I provide yan auxiliary nozzle 26 which is internally threaded to engage the nipple extension 21 on the head. This auxiliary nozzle has an outwardly tapered passage 28 of substantial length terminating in a delivery port 29. This auxiliary nozzle serves to restrict the stream or .spray delivered and adds to the range of delivery. It may be readily removed should occasion require.

To permit the spray gun to be used in batter-v ing an opening in a door, wall or the like the d'elivery end of the elongated port or ,passage It! is surrounded by an outwardly spaced flange 3B( The delivery end of the auxiliary nozzle passage is provided with a similar outwardly spaced flange 3|. These flanges prevent the battering of the edges of the delivery ports or passages which might affect the character lof vthe stream or spray delivered. My improved spray gun is highly efcient in the delivery of fog or mist-'like spray through a very considerable range and Valso indeliverin'g a vfull stream. This is, as ,pointed out, particularly useful where it is desired to 'avoid excessive wetting of the merchandise -or .the like as well asto conserve water.

Applicants spray gun is well vadapted for use 'in rural 'and other conditions where the water supply is carred in a tank or th'e'water supply is limited.

I have illustrated Vand described my invention v in a highly .practical commercial embodiment I" thereof. I have not attempted to illustrate vari- `ous modifications which .I contemplate 'as it is 'believed that this disclosure will .enable those skilled in the art to `embody or adapt my invention .as may be desired.

Having thus described by invention, what I `claim -as new 'and desire 'to secure by Letters "Patent is:

l. Ina structure of the class described, the combination f a barrel provided with a supply connection and with a, chambered head provided with a discharge port at its 'outer end and with a rearwardlyifacing valve seat, the end wall of vthe chamber being conical and merging Vinto the valve seat, a -throat member disposed within said head and having a throat of substantial width aligned .with said port 4and an outwardly l'facing `conical'wall 'coa'cting 'with said end -wall di `said head to provide 'an 'expansion chamber, said throat member -having a rearwardly facing conical'fluid lguide wall merging 'into its throat, a spider-like valve support disposedin said head `at the rear of said -throat member, a, manually Vvactuated .plunger rod, a valve on said .plungerv rod coacting with said valve -seat and provided with a stem reciprocatingly 'mounted in said support, a forwardly 'tapered swirl producing member having a plurality of spiralperiph'eral .grooves Veiitending from end to end thereof, said swirl producing member being of a length substantially exceeding Vthe width ofthe throat and Ibeing vdisposed on the valve'stem in spaced rey'lation to the valve "and positione'drela'tive thereto -so that .the larger rear portion of the swirl -producing member is within I'the throat when the `valve is closed, the valve coacting vwith the .discharge v,port to regulate the discharge from .connection and with a 'chambered nhead .pro-

'vided with a discharge port `at its 'outer endv and with a rearwardly "facing "valve -seat, 'a

throat member disposed within said head and having a throat of substantial width aligned with said port, a spider-like valve support disposed in said head at the rear of said throat member, a manually actuated plunger rod, a valve on said plunger rod coacting with said Vvalve f'seat and 'provided A-with a stem recipro- 'ca'ting'ly mounted in said support, a -swirl producing member having a plurality of spiral peripheral grooves extending from end to end ithereofpsaidguide member having a recess receiving said swirl member when the valve is in fully retracted position, in which position the 'swirllmemb'er does Vnot effect the discharge of fluid.

3, In a structure of the class described, the

corribinationfof-afbarrel provided with a supply connection, a chambered head on said barrelk provided with a central discharge port at its outer .end and with a rearwardly facing valve seat, sai'dhead'having a restricting throat of substantial `widthspaced rearwardly Aof lsaid valve seat, therebeing anexpansion'chamber between said 'throat and `discharge port, a valve provided with 'a "stem reciprocatingly mounted to coact with said valve seatya forwardly tapered swirl producing member 'having `a plurality lof spiral periperal grooves 'extending from "end to -end thereof, said swirl producing ymember being of 2y-length substantially exceeding the width of the throat and being disposed on the valve stern in spaced relation to kthe valve and positioned relative thereto'sothatthe larger rear portion of Athe swirl producing `member is within the throat when the valveis closed, the valve coacting with 'the dischargepportfto regulate the discharge from the expansion Achamber "during a substantial movement of the swirl producing member within vthe throat.

4. 'In a structure of the class described, the combination of a barrel .provided with a supply connection, a chambered'head onsaid barrel provided with a central dischargeport at its outer end 'and with'a rearwardly facing valve seat, said vhead having a vrestricting 'throat of substantial width spaced rearwardly of said valve seat, a valve coacting with said valve seat'and provided with a 'stem'mount'edto'reciprocate within said throat, a swirl producing member mounted on said stem to be reciprocated into and out of said throat'andhavingfa pluralityof spiral peripheral grooves extending from end to end thereoiand a housing'for said "swirlmember'when the valve is in fully opened position.

5. A structure of the .class described, 'compris- .ing a barrel provided witha head portion 'having a discharge port at its outer end and a rearwardly facing 'valve seat, said 'head havinga throat of -substantial width spaced Arearwardly from Ysaid valve .seat .andaligned therewith, a plunger rod,

`a valve'm'ountedthereonto coact with said valve seat, a guide 'memberfor said valve and plunger rod, a-swirllproducing member'h'aving spiral peripheral vgrooves mounted in spacedreiation vto said-valve so that it is withinthe'th'roatwhen the valveis seated'the `said 'guide member being provided` with a recessinto which said swirl member is retractedwhen thevalvefis'fully opened.

6. 'In a structure of the class described, the combination with a chamber'ed head having a discharge portatlits 'outer end, "and a rearwardly facingvalveseat, `said "head having a restricting throat of substantial Vwidth spaced rearwardly `.from said valve Vseat :there :being an expansion -chamber between the vthroat'and the 'valve seat,

a valve reciprocatingly mounted to coact with said valve seat, a forwardly tapered swirl producing member of a length substantially exceeding the width of the throat and having a plurality of spiral peripheral grooves mounted in spaced relation to said valve to reciprocate therewith and in such relation thereto that the larger diameter of the swirl member is within the throat when the valve is seated and being fully withdrawn from the throat when the valve is in fully open position, said head being provided with a recess into which said swirl member is fully retracted when the valve is fully open.

'7. In a structure of the class described, the combination with a chambered head having a discharge port at its outer end, and a, rearwardly facing valve seat, said head having a restricting throat spaced rearwardly from said valve seat there being an expansion chamber between the throat and the valve seat, a valve reciprocatingly mounted to coact with said valve seat, a forwardly tapered swirl producing member having a plurality of spiral peripheral grooves mounted in spaced relation to said valve to reciprocate therewith and in such relation thereto that the larger diameter of the swirl member is within the throat when the valve is seated and being fully withdrawn from the throat when the valve is in fully open position.

8. A structure of the class described, compris: ing a chambered head member provided with a discharge port at its outer end, and a rearwardly facing conical valve seat, the front end wall of the head member being conical and merging into the valve seat, said head having a restricting throat of substantial width spaced rearwardly from the valve seat, a valve reciprocatingly mounted to coact with said valve seat, a forwardly tapered swirl producing member of a length substantially exceeding the width of the throat and having peripheral spiral grooves mounted in spaced relation to said valve to reciprocate therewith and coact with said throat to induce a swirling action to the liquid passing through the throat, said swirl member being fully withdrawn from the throat when the valve is fully open.

9. A structure of the class described, comprislng a chambered head member provided with a discharge port at its outer end, and a rearwardly facing conical valve seat, the front end wall of the head member being conical and merging into the valve seat, said head having a restricting throat spaced rearwardly from the valve seat, a valve reciprocatingly mounted to coact with said valve seat, a swirl producing member having peripheral spiral grooves mounted in spaced relation to said valve to reciprocate therewith and coact with said throat to induce a swirling action to the liquid passing through the throat, said swirl member being fully withdrawn from the throat when the valve is fully open.

' 10. A structure of the class described, comprising a chambered head member provided with a v discharge port at its outer end, and arearwardly facing conical valve seat, the front end wall of the head member being conical and merging into the valve seat, said head having a restricting throat spaced rearwardly from the valve seat, a valve reciprocatingly mounted to coact with said valve seat, a swirl producing member having peripheral spiral grooves mounted in spaced relation to said valve to reciprocate therewith and coact with said throat to induce a swirling action to the liquid passing through the throat, said swirl member being fully withdrawn from the throat when the valve is fully open, said head member having a swirl member guard into which the swirl member is retracted when the valve is fully open.

BENJAMIN D. BARTON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 356,372 Parker Jan. 18, 1887 511,729 Deming Dec. 26, 1893 579,409 Robertshaw Mar. 23, 1897 1,232,489 Brown July 10, 1917 1,322,932 Myers Nov. 25, 1919 1,631,894 Schlaepfer June 7, 1927 1,686,885 Trisler Oct. 9, 1928 2,238,521 Gustafson Apr. 15, 1941 

